brooks: FALKLAND ISLAND BIRDS. 153 



Chloephaga magellanica (Gnielin). 

 " Ipland Goose." 



This stately goose is al)un(lanl thi-ouj^liout most of the islamls. 

 They are in most instances very tame always allowing one to approach 

 within easy gunshot. 



The call of the male is very similar to that of the Kelp Goose. The 

 female has a variety of calls, the most striking l)eing a loud, resonant 

 "Ca-rr'r-ca-rr'f^ca-rr'r" suggesting our Bnwia hrrnicla (//(tunH/dstrfi. 

 At times it utters a series of cacklings, and its repertoire includes 

 several indescribable notes. 



They nest during October in the grass or " Diddle-dee" huslies, and 

 along valleys, the male always in sight of the nest. The only set in 

 my collection consists of six eggs taken Xoveml)er 3, and about one 

 quarter incubated. 



The first downy young were seen on November 7, and from that date 

 until the twentieth of the month. The latest w^ere noted December 29. 



The broods averaged five or six young. Most of these newly 

 hatched young instead of lying motionless until danger has passed 

 will run about after their parents making themsehes as conspicuous 

 as possible. 



The female shows the greatest concern when one is near the young. 

 First she will run at)()ut with wings spread close to the ground until one 

 is l)eside tlie young. Then she walks slowly al)out in a circle a few 

 paces distant all the time giving a low "cluck." 



The male though obviously disturbed is less courageous and walks 

 about some distance away, nervously pecking at old dead grass-stems 

 and whistling softly, but watching the disturber ^ery closely. On 

 one notable occasion the male outdid its mate in boldness. 1 was 

 approaching a brood \ ery closely, and at the same time focusing my 

 grafiex camera, when the male sprang up, and lighting on my head, 

 gave me such a beating with its wings that my ears rang for some time. 

 1 eventually took a very good photograph of the w^hole family. 



They begin to moult late in No\eml)er about a month before the 

 Kelp Geese. By mid-December large flocks take to the water. 



Throughout the year Tpland Geese feed ujjon tender young grass, 

 especially during the spring and summer. This diet is varied in the 

 autumn and winter by the consumption of berries locally known as 

 "Diddle-dee" and "Malvina" berries. At this time thev become 



